Murray St. item on economic workplan causes concern for public
- Ron Giofu
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
An item on the economic development advisory committee’s (EDAC) workplan has caught the attention of members of the public opposed to it.
The item pertaining to the possible closure of Murray St. is contained in the workplan and is classified as a “near-term goal.” Listed under the “tourism and travel” workplan pillar, the item states “that administration be directed to bring the report back regarding the potential closure of Murray St. to EDAC for the committee’s review and comments to be provided to council.”
That item brought out members of the public opposed the measure, with the proposed closure of Murray St. to be between Dalhousie St. and Ramsay St.
It was explained that the committee was finalizing its workplan for the remainder of this term and into the next term.
Councillor Diane Pouget, one of the two council appointees to the committee along with Councillor Linden Crain, questioned why a delegate was allowed to proceed at a previous meeting but no delegates were on the agenda at the Jan. 15 committee meeting.
Pouget initially brought up her concerns during the portion of the agenda where minutes from previous meetings were being approved. She said there was a delegate who touched on items such as Open Air Weekends and the possible Murray St. closure, items she said were not on the agenda.
“I just want to make those complaints known and I’m asking administration to address those issues,” said Pouget.
Clerk Kevin Fox said the previous meeting in question was a special brainstorming session regarding economic development opportunities for the workplan. He said that was the “appropriate time” to gather new ideas for the workplan.
“At this meeting, those informal ideas have been gathered and brought back so the workplan can be adopted. That is the content of this meeting,” Fox said last Thursday night. “The items that are on the workplan would be discussed at the relevant time when those matters come forward. I know there is some confusion on that front.”
When reports come back on items in the workplan, Fox maintained that would be a better time to have a discussion.
At the point of the meeting where the workplan was discussed, deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne told the committee that she believed staff captured everything that was said but deferred to committee member Michael Deneau on a matter Deneau said was missed.
Deneau said that item was regarding additional infrastructure methods being endorsed in order to provide for expanded events and short-term accommodations regarding such as a festival stage and marina in the expanded King’s Navy Yard Park.
“It’s something we talked about to provide accommodations to be able to stay in our great town,” said Deneau. “That would actually look towards a seasonal approach in many regards which certainly takes care of a bit of the downtown we have during the winter months.”
Crain asked for the purpose of the workplan to be stated, with Osborne saying it is a plan for the committee to adopt.
“It then goes to council, not for approval, but for awareness and adoption only. It does not set direction to council. It is just what will inform this group for the remainder of the term as well as the next potential economic development advisory committee, presuming the next strikes said committee and moves forward,” said Osborne. “This would help inform the next council as well what this committee feels its purpose and reason is for the community.”
Pouget noted that May 27, 2024, town council “rejected the traffic master plan recommendation to close Murray St.” She added that administration was tasked to come back with a report with results of consultation of Murray St. businesses. It was in council’s unfinished business list from May-Nov. 2024.
“At no time did council ask to bring this forward. We asked ‘why not’? It was because it was a very controversial issue and council was aware the majority of people were opposed and there was a petition against it,” said Pouget. “Unfortunately, no one was allowed to present the petition to council because it was never on the agenda.”
Pouget added people thought it was a “dead issue,” adding businesses had yet to be consulted. Other items not on the agenda, such as matters relating to Open Air, were allowed to be spoken on at a previous meeting with Pouget continuing by saying delegates wanted to speak at that night’s meeting but were denied.
Fox said the delegation requests weren’t denied, but held in abeyance.
“There’s a structural difference in that meaning,” he said. “That meaning is that those requests are held until that matter comes before the body. (At the Jan. 15 meeting), the merits of the items are not for discussion. Those would happen to be at the point when those reports come back. At this point, it’s merely the discussion to what is in the workplan.”
Fox added when the recent delegation was made, it was in order as related to a future workplan item.
Pouget added no one, including council, has been able to speak on Open Air and believed other people were not being afforded the same privilege.
“That’s why people perceive unfairness,” she said.
Pouget also questioned why the businesses had yet to be met with, “yet that’s put on our plan.” Osborne said there “was a miscommunication internally” as infrastructure services brought forward the transportation plan so some staff believe they would canvass the business, while infrastructure services thought it was a task for economic development.
The situation has been remedied, Osborne said, and a report will be compiled and brought to council for discussion.
“People are more than free to delegate at that particular event,” she said.
Osborne added that delegations were held in abeyance and people who wish to speak can do so in the future at a committee meeting or a council meeting.
“What (Fox) was trying in earnest to do is when the actual report comes forward and these people want to speak to council directly or this committee, their rights are continued to be preserved.”
The November meeting was specific to the workplan and “anyone could have spoken” and made suggestions about Open Air including that it not proceed, Osborne added.
The potential closure is not actioned by adopting the workplan, Osborne said, adding the previous workplan endorsed that plan but the current one “softened” that concept and allowed for businesses to be consulted on the matter.
“If delegates wish to delegate to this committee, they are welcome to,” she added, though they wouldn’t be allowed to address to town council on the same issue.
“No one is recommending in this workplan that Murray St. be closed,” said Osborne. “That’s actually what was originally in the workplan. It has been softened.”
Pouget said the EDAC committee endorsed having Open Air for two years in the same format and no one in the public would have known that was coming up. She said it was “after hours” as delegation requests closed at 4 p.m. on a Thursday when the committee meets at 5 p.m.
Fox said the committee can’t make decisions, but recommendations to council. When the committee was brainstorming and that previous meeting was held to discuss the workplan and what ideas the committee wished to undertake.
Crain said any item can be brought up under the new business portion of the agenda, and there are many motions brought up at council meetings that are voted on. He believed that is in order and noted that the public generally can’t comment on those types of items. Regarding a Pouget comment on the year-and-a-half timeframe, Crain stated staff has “competing priorities” and said there are more pressing issues that staff is working on.
“I think they are doing a great job balancing what they can,” said Crain.
Three of the delegates that wished to speak provided written notes to the River Town Times. Peggy Russchen-Thompson states the issue is controversial and could divide residents similar to issues like Open Air. She doesn’t want a recommendation on the matter until after this October’s municipal election.
“This issue is important enough that it should be addressed openly during the
election campaign and included as part of candidates’ platforms,” she said.
Russchen-Thompson said there is “significant concern and opposition to closing Murray St. to traffic. This is clearly a matter that could influence how people choose to vote.”
Noting “there is no immediate need to rush into a decision. Delaying any recommendation until after the election would allow the next term of council, guided by a clear public mandate, to determine the best path forward.”
Bill Petruniak said he walked Murray St. Jan. 7 and spoke with some business owners or occupants and discovered “not one single person that owns property or has a business on the section of Murray St. between Ramsey and Dalhousie has had any discussion or contact from Amherstburg administration in the last year and a half regarding closing Murray St.” in that block.
“I asked each individual if they were in favour of completely closing this section of Murray St. and everyone said that closing the street is not a good idea at this time,” he said.
Petruniak questioned why the matter is being considered if no one wants the street closed. He also called for a business plan to support closing the street.
“How would this closure make these businesses more profitable? Retail establishments and food venues rely on traffic. Anything that decreases traffic flow reduces the potential to make sales,” he said. “Will closing the street increase or decrease pedestrian and vehicle traffic? Will closing the street increase or decrease accessibility to these businesses?”
The impact it could have on the Masonic Lodge was also part of his remarks.
Gary Bowerman believed it would be pointless having a plan to discuss street initiatives without also talking about Open Air would be pointless. He suggested postponing such a workshop discussion until Jan. 2027.
“Considering this council would not even bring forward the financial report to receive for the Open Air Initiative 2025 speaks volumes to the sensitivity of the marrying of these two items. Council and administration have made it crystal clear as to the intent of not revisiting any aspect of the Open Air Initiative during this council’s term,” he said.
Bowerman added: “Please consider deferring your workshop as presented on the agenda until January 2027 when the entire venue can be reviewed.”
Murray St. item on economic workplan causes concern for public
By Ron Giofu
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